Battling Waid go down in friendly fire

ANOTHER week off from league duty allowed Waid to participate in friendly action against fellow Fife team Glenrothes.

The game was an opportunity for Waid to field a developing crop of players alongside regulars.

The experienced Glenrothes XV made life difficult for the travelling team from the word go, using heavy members of their pack to drive the ball forward into Waid’s 22-metre line.

However, a spilled ball came to pass after Waid gained territory and captain Kevin Anderson, on his 30th birthday, seized the opportunity to kick forward into Glenrothes try area before pouncing to score the first points of the day.

Protests by Waid led to the home side being awarded a penalty re-start after Glenrothes had converted the try, with the score at 7-5.

Strong runs and heavy pressure from vice-captain Kato Blockley, debutant Mark McKenzie and number 10 Richard Bach proved too much at times for the Glenrothes back line but regrettably Waid could not convert their attempts at running in the try.

Soon after the second half began, Waid lost both their debutants, Steven McLean and Mark McKenzie, to injury.

Waid were awarded a penalty but backchat amid rising tempers resulted in the referee overturning the decision in Glenrothes’ favour.

Waid’s discipline uncharacteristically went from bad to worse and saw them lose a further 30 yards, before the penalty was taken and Glenrothes scored.

On the final whistle, Waid walked away having learned some valuable lessons, although skipper Anderson felt they shouldn’t be disheartened.

Waid FP are away to RAF Lossiemouth RFC this week in the RBS Caledonia Bowl quarter-finals.